U.S. patent number 7,784,139 [Application Number 11/051,312] was granted by the patent office on 2010-08-31 for surface treating device with cartridge-based cleaning system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.. Invention is credited to Mark M. Gipp, Jeffrey L. Harwig, Thomas Jaworski, Kathleen M. Laru, Stephen B. Leonard, Michael M. Sawalski.
United States Patent |
7,784,139 |
Sawalski , et al. |
August 31, 2010 |
Surface treating device with cartridge-based cleaning system
Abstract
A cartridge is disclosed comprising a reel-to-reel roll of
cleaning material, for use in a hand-held or robotic cleaning
device. The cartridge provides either an electrostatic dust cloth
or wet mop, and includes a fluid reservoir for maintaining the wet
mop cloth during use. A dust bin is also provided on the cartridge,
and includes a hinged lid for providing selective access to the
dust inside of the bin. A motor, optical sensor, and fluid pump
inside of a cleaning apparatus control the operation of the
reel-to-reel cloth, and control fluid delivery to the wet
cloth.
Inventors: |
Sawalski; Michael M. (Racine,
WI), Harwig; Jeffrey L. (New Berlin, WI), Leonard;
Stephen B. (Franksville, WI), Laru; Kathleen M. (Racine,
WI), Gipp; Mark M. (Racine, WI), Jaworski; Thomas
(Racine, WI) |
Assignee: |
S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
(Racine, WI)
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Family
ID: |
34860263 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/051,312 |
Filed: |
February 4, 2005 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20050229340 A1 |
Oct 20, 2005 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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60542115 |
Feb 4, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/50.3; 15/319;
15/340.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L
11/24 (20130101); A47L 11/4047 (20130101); A47L
13/29 (20130101); A47L 11/4041 (20130101); A47L
11/33 (20130101); A47L 11/4011 (20130101); A47L
11/32 (20130101); A47L 13/26 (20130101); A47L
11/28 (20130101); A47L 11/4013 (20130101); A47L
11/4088 (20130101); A47L 2201/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47L
11/24 (20060101); A47L 11/36 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;15/50.3,319,340.1,340.3,340.4 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Chin; Randall
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application
Ser. No. 60/542,115, filed Feb. 4, 2004.
Claims
We claim:
1. A robotic surface treating device, comprising: a housing
including an aperture sized and dimensioned to receive a cleaning
cartridge; a sweeper brush coupled to the housing; and a cleaning
cartridge comprising: a supply reel coupled to a first axle; a
take-up reel coupled to another axle; and a roll of sheet cleaning
material mounted on the reels; and a dust bin positioned between
the sweeper brush and the roll of sheet cleaning material, the dust
bin having a lid mounted thereon suitable to automatically pivot
from a closed position to an open position as the lid moves into
the cleaning device, and suitable to automatically pivot from an
open position to a closed position as the lid moves out of the
cleaning device; wherein the housing is configured to force open
the lid as the dust bin moves into the cleaning device; wherein
there are means for moving said cleaning material relative to the
surface to be treated; and whereby the device is suitable to cause
particulate matter on the surface to be removed from the surface
and sent to the dust bin before the sheet cleaning material passes
over where that particulate matter was previously on the
surface.
2. The robotic surface treating device as defined in claim 1,
further comprising a pump for delivering a fluid onto the sheet
cleaning material.
3. The robotic surface treating device as defined in claim 1,
wherein there is also a flexible blade; wherein there is also a
ratchet linked to the take-up reel to permit the sheet of cleaning
material to move onto the take-up reel, but to restrict movement of
a used portion of the sheet of cleaning material, if present, back
off the take-up reel; and wherein the dust bin is positioned
rearward of the flexible blade and forward of the roll.
4. The robotic surface treating device as defined in claim 3,
further comprising a platen extending from a bottom surface of the
cartridge, the roll of cleaning material extending by the platen
between the supply reel and the take-up reel.
5. The robotic surface treating device as defined in claim 4,
further comprising a fluid inlet port for receiving a fluid
supply.
6. The robotic surface treating device as defined in claim 4,
wherein the flexible blade is suitable to direct dirt into the dust
bin.
7. The robotic surface treating device as defined in claim 4,
wherein the platen is compliant.
8. The robotic surface treating device as defined in claim 3,
further comprising a fluid reservoir for providing a fluid to the
roll of cleaning material.
9. The robotic surface treating device as defined in claim 3,
further comprising a latching device for latching the cartridge
into the housing.
10. The robotic surface treating device as defined in claim 3,
wherein the cleaning material comprises an electrostatic dusting
material.
11. The robotic surface treating device as defined in claim 3,
wherein the cleaning material comprises a wet mop material.
12. A refill cleaning cartridge suitable for use with a robotic
surface treating device of a type having a housing with an aperture
sized and dimensioned to receive the cleaning cartridge, and a
sweeper brush coupled to the housing, the refill cleaning cartridge
comprising: a supply reel coupled to a first axle; a take-up reel
coupled to another axle; and a roll of sheet cleaning material
mounted on the reels; and a dust bin positionable between the
sweeper brush and the roll of sheet cleaning material, the dust bin
having a lid mounted thereon suitable to automatically pivot from a
closed position to an open position as the lid moves into the
housing of the cleaning device, and suitable to automatically pivot
from an open position to a closed position as the lid moves out of
the housing of the cleaning device; wherein the lid is configured
to be forced open as the dust bin moves into the housing of the
cleaning device; wherein there are means for moving said cleaning
material relative to the surface to be treated; and whereby the
cartridge, when used with a robotic surface treating device, is
suitable to cause particulate matter on the surface to be removed
from the surface and sent to the dust bin before the sheet cleaning
material passes over where that particulate matter was previously
on the surface.
Description
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is desirable to minimize the amount of human labor expended in
maintaining and cleaning residential and commercial spaces. The art
has therefore developed robotic devices that can clean or otherwise
maintain or treat floors, carpeting or the like without the
necessity for a human to be present during the operation of the
device. The most common robotic devices of this kind are dusters,
buffers, vacuum cleaners, floor sweepers, and floor polishers.
Such devices typically have a computer control program to direct a
preferred movement pattern. The control is linked to steering
devices as well as motors that are in turn connected to wheels.
Many of these devices also include sensors to confirm the initial
and later positions of the device relative to the pre-set path. The
most sophisticated of these devices include sensors to detect the
presence of unexpected obstacles, as well as programming to provide
options for altered paths where that occurs. An example of a prior
art control system for such a robotic system is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,119,900. See also U.S. Pat. No. 6,594,844.
As these devices are intended to be operated autonomously, and for
a significant period of time, it is desirable to provide a supply
of cleaning materials which is renewable and which does not require
significant maintenance. It is also desirable that various types of
cleaning supplies for various types of cleaning and floor surfaces
can also be provided, in order to provide multiple cleaning
functions from a single device. Various types of cleaning should
not only be available, but easily implemented on the autonomous
cleaning device.
Known in the art are various methods for providing a length of
cleaning material in a reel to reel configuration. U.S. Pat. No.
4,433,451, for example, depicts a floor cleaning device which is
designed to have a reel-to-reel cloth 33 that is advanced during
use. The cloth is used for cleaning and/or drying the floor, and
may be a non-woven fabric. An elastic compression element 41 forces
the cloth towards the floor. The system is described as also being
capable of delivering liquid.
Another such system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,642 which
describes the use of a mechanism for tightening a dusting cloth in
a reel-to-reel system used for one type of flooring, here a bowling
lane.
Also known in the art are removable cleaning elements. U.S. Pat.
No. 5,933,900, for example, discloses a floor cleaning machine
which can include a removable dust pan.
While several devices for advancing cleaning materials through a
cleaning device with minimal maintenance are known, these devices
each require a significant interaction between a user and the
dirt-collecting material. Furthermore, once these devices are
installed, they are not easily replaced when, for example, a
different type of cleaning or a different floor surface is
encountered, or when the cleaning material is either used-up or
soiled to the point of inefficiency.
In sum, a need still exists for improved surface treating devices,
particularly those that can easily and efficiently provide multiple
cleanings, and which can easily and efficiently be removed and
replaced when a different type of cleaning is required. These types
of devices are particularly desirable for use in robotic or other
autonomous applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an autonomous/robotic surface
treating device. The surface treating device typically includes a
housing having an aperture sized and dimensioned to receive a
cleaning cartridge, a sweeper brush coupled to the housing, and a
motor positioned adjacent the aperture for driving a roll of sheet
cleaning material on the cartridge, as a surface is treated.
In another aspect of the invention, the surface treating device
includes a pump for delivering a fluid onto the roll of sheet
cleaning material. Alternatively, the fluid may be deposited upon
the surface to be cleaned. The device can also include an optical
sensor for monitoring the roll of sheet cleaning material as it is
driven through the cleaning device. A controller for driving the
motor and the pump, and for monitoring the optical sensor, can also
be provided.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a cartridge for use in a
cleaning device is provided. The cartridge includes a housing, a
resistive supply reel coupled to an axle in the housing, and a
take-up reel coupled to an axle in the housing. A dust bin is
positioned adjacent an edge of the housing, and a cleaning material
is provided in the housing, a first end of the cleaning material is
coupled to the resistive supply reel, and the opposing end is
coupled to the take-up reel.
In another aspect of the invention, the cartridge further includes
a platen extending toward the surfaced to be cleaned from a bottom
surface of the housing. A portion of the roll of cleaning material
extends over the platen between the supply reel and the take-up
reel, providing a cleaning surface. The platen can be compliant.
The cartridge can also include a fluid port for receiving a pumped
fluid supply, particularly for use in wet mopping, and a fluid
reservoir for providing the fluid to the roll of cleaning
material.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the cartridge can include a
lid provided on the dust bin, the lid being opened when the
cartridge is in use, and closed when the cartridge is removed to
prevent dust and dirt from spilling from the bin. The lid can be
hinged to provide this function. A flexible blade may be provided
adjacent the dust bin and directed toward the dust bin to direct
dirt into the dust bin.
The cartridge of the invention can also include a window for
viewing the roll of cleaning material in the cartridge.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the cartridge can be
employed in either a hand operated device, or an autonomous or
robotic device.
In other aspects of the invention, the cartridge can include a
cleaning material which comprises an electret or electrostatic
dusting material, or, in the alternative, a wet mop material. Still
further, the cleaning material may be provided as folded supply,
such as an accordion folded stack of nonwoven sheets of cleaning
material, which material may be withdrawn for use and placed in an
operative position either by hand or by mechanical means. The
cleaning material may also be provided in a roll.
This brief summary of the invention has been provided so that the
general nature of the invention may be readily understood. However,
neither this summary, nor the attached drawings, nor the
description of the preferred embodiments which follows, should be
constructed to limit the invention. Rather, the claims should be
looked to in order to assess the full scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating a cleaning cartridge
constructed in accordance with the present invention being inserted
into a back end of an autonomous cleaning device of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view as described with reference to FIG. 1,
although viewed from the front upper left of the autonomous
cleaning device.
FIG. 3 is the view of FIG. 1, with upper housings removed from the
autonomous cleaning device and the cartridge.
FIG. 4 is the view of FIG. 2, with upper housings removed from each
of the autonomous cleaning device and the cartridge
FIG. 5 is a cutaway detail view of the cartridge illustrating the
ratcheted take-up reel.
FIG. 6 is a cutaway detail view of the cartridge illustrating the
supply reel.
FIG. 7 is atop plan view of the autonomous cleaning device with the
cartridge inserted.
FIG. 8 is a view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a cutaway view of FIG. 8, illustrating the reel-to-reel
spooling of a cleaning sheet material in the cartridge.
FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a cartridge for cleaning
carpeting.
FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the cartridge of FIG. 10 with the top
housing removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the figures and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and
3, a cleaning system comprising a cleaning cartridge 10 for
insertion into a cleaning device 12 is shown. The cleaning
cartridge 10 comprises a roll of sheet cleaning material 44 which
is provided in a reel-to-reel configuration in the cleaning
cartridge 10, as described below. A portion of the roll of sheet
cleaning material is maintained in contact with the surface below
the cleaning device 12 during operation. A motor 52 is provided in
the cleaning device 12 to consistently drive the used cleaning
sheet material out of contact with the surface to be cleaned in
order to maintain an effective cleaning process as the cleaning
system is used.
Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 3 and also to FIGS. 2 and 4, the
cleaning device 12, as shown, comprises an autonomous appliance or
robot which includes a housing 13 having an aperture 14 sized and
dimensioned to receive the cleaning cartridge 10. In the housing 13
and located above the aperture 14 are two windows 22 and 24 which
allow the user to view the cleaning cartridge 10, and the roll of
cleaning sheet material 44 maintained therein. An aperture 25 is
also provided which, in conjunction with a latching device 27 on
the cartridge 10, provides a latch for selectively connecting the
cartridge 10 to the cleaning device 12. As shown in FIG. 8, the
cleaning device 12 also includes a sweeper or beater brush 60 for
cleaning large particulate matter. The cleaning sheet material 44
follows the brush 60 and typically cleans smaller particulate
matter such as hair and dust which is not picked up by the brush
60.
Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cartridge 10 includes windows
26 and 28 which, when positioned in the cleaning device 12, are
aligned with the windows 22 and 24 in the housing 13 of the
cleaning device 12, thereby allowing a user visual access to the
cleaning sheet material 44 within the cartridge 10. Although many
types of materials could be used, the cartridge is preferably
constructed of a low cost resin such as injection-molded PE or PP,
which are compatible with cleaning fluids. The windows 26 and 28
are preferably enclosed with a transparent material.
A dust bin 30 is provided in the cleaning cartridge 10 at the end
of the cartridge which is received inside of the housing 13 of the
cleaning device 12, wherein, when in position, the dust bin 30 is
provided adjacent the brush 60 (FIG. 8) in the cleaning device 12.
The dust bin 30 is selectively covered by a hinged lid 38, which is
forced open as the cleaning cartridge 10 is moved into the cleaning
device 12 but which swings shut and is therefore normally closed
when the cartridge is removed from the cleaning device 12, thereby
retaining dust collected by the cleaning device 12 within the dust
bin 30 for cleaning, replacement, or disposal of the cartridge 10.
Optionally, the dust bin may be provided with a disposable bag for
accumulation and disposal of dust collected by the cleaning device.
A flexible blade 32 which can be constructed, for example, of
rubber, flexible plastics, or other materials which will be known
to those of skill in the art, is provided in front of the dust bin
30, directed from an upper edge of the dustbin 30 to the surface
below the cartridge 10. As described below, in operation, the
flexible blade 32 directs dirt collected by the brush 60 of the
cleaning device 12 into the dust bin 30. In another possible
embodiment of the present invention, the dust bin may be positioned
within the body of the device, rather than in the cleaning
cartridge. Furthermore, although a hinged lid is described, a
sliding lid or other types of lids which are operable upon
insertion into the robot and closable upon removal from the robot
can also be used.
Referring still to FIGS. 1-4, the reel-to-reel device provided in
the cartridge 10 includes both a take-up reel 34, to which used
cleaning sheet material 44 is directed, and a supply reel 36, to
which an unused roll of cleaning sheet material is connected. The
take-up reel 34 (FIG. 5) is ratcheted in order to prevent used
cleaning sheet material 44 from being directed back over the.
surface to be cleaned, while the supply reel 36 (FIG. 6) provides a
resistive force limiting rolling, of the sheet unless driven, for
example, by stepper motor 52. Teeth 35 in the take-up reel 34 are
engaged with spring-loaded teeth 33 to ratchet the reel and limit
motion.
The cleaning sheet material 44 can comprise, for example, an
electrostatic or electret material. Examples of such materials are
those described in WO 02/00819, the publication for PCT/US00/20074
filed Jun. 22, 2001. This disclosure is incorporated herein by
reference for a description of these types of materials. The
cleaning sheet material may be either woven or nonwoven, and may be
non-absorbent for use as a dust cleaning material, or absorbent for
use with a wet cleaning agent, for example. Moreover, the cleaning
sheet material may be of any suitable thickness, to the extent that
the material thickness may improve compliance of the device to the
surface being cleaned, without interfering with traction of the
drive wheels of the device. Further, when the device is to be used
for a hard surface, an anti-slip routine may be provided in the
robotic controls so as to ensure traction of the wheels when the
surface is wet. The cleaning sheet material 44 can also provide a
treating or dispensation function. For example, the cleaning cloth
can be treated with cleaning fluid or polishes to treat the floor,
with insecticides, insect repellants, and fragrances to be
dispersed to a room, or with a combination of these treating
elements. Furthermore, various sections of the cleaning cloth 44
can comprise different types of material, providing, for example, a
cleaning section and a polishing section. Other combinations will
be apparent.
Referring still to FIGS. 1-4, the cartridge 10 can further comprise
a fluid reservoir 42 for providing a fluid to the cleaning sheet
material 44 during operation. Alternatively, the fluid may be
distributed directly to the surface being treated, rather than to
the cleaning sheet material, said distribution providing a metered
amount of fluid to optimize effectiveness. As described above, the
fluid can be water, a cleaning fluid, polish, insecticide, or
various other materials, or a combination of such materials. The
fluid supply provided in the reservoir 42 is preferably connected
to a pump 50 provided in the cleaning device 12 through fluid
inlets 40 provided on the cartridge 10 and fluid outlets 48
provided on the cleaning device 12. In operation, therefore, the
control of fluid flow to the cleaning sheet material 44 is
controlled by the cleaning device 12, and is provided to the sheet
material to maintain a selected level of moisture over the life of
the cartridge, as described below. Alternatively, the amount of
fluid used may be controlled by the user. Although the size of the
reservoir will typically be determined based on the application, in
the application shown here the fluid reservoir 42 is 450 ml. In
another embodiment of the invention, the sheet material may be
dispensed from a reservoir of fluid so as to provide a fluid
saturated sheet material, the sheet material then being drawn
through such means as a pinch roll or squeegee means to
appropriately limit the amount of fluid in said sheet material
prior to contact of the material with the surface to be cleaned.
When a wet cleaning material is employed, care must be taken to
provide an openable and closeable aperture through which the
material passes for use, so as to prevent dry-out of the material
prior to use. Advancement of the sheet material, either as a roll
or as individual sheets, may be controlled mechanically, such as by
metering means on the drive wheel or the brush mechanism. The
take-up reel may be located in the cartridge, or external thereto.
Moreover, the sheet material may be provided in such a manner that
used portions of the cleaning material may be removed, such as by
tearing away at perforations, so as to prevent wet sheet material
being retained within the cartridge or the body of the cleaning
device and causing mold formation, for example. Such removal may be
hand done by the consumer, or may be automatically controlled by
the device. Further, the cleaning material, after usage, may be
retained in a receptacle bin within either the cartridge or in the
body of the cleaning device, for disposal at the convenience of the
user.
Referring still to FIG. 3 and also to FIG. 4, a bank of batteries
54 provides power to the cleaning device, which is selectively
activated by a switch 18 (FIG. 1) provided on the cleaning device
12. The batteries are preferably rechargeable, and are accessed
through a port 55 provided in the side of the housing of the
cleaning device 12 (FIG. 2).
The cloth supply reel 36 is driven by the stepper motor 52 provided
in the cleaning device and the amount of the roll of the sheet
material 44 which is unwound during operation is monitored by a
sensor such as an optical sensor 46, which is also provided in the
cleaning device 12. The stepper motor 52, optical sensor 46, and
pump 50 are each driven by a microprocessor control board or
controller (not shown, but positioned typically above the battery
pack) based on an experimentally-determined timing which drives the
stepper motor to replace the sheet material as necessary to
maintain proper cleaning processes during a cleaning operation
while monitoring actual movement of the sheet. Similarly, the
controller drives the pump 50 to supply fluid to the roll of sheet
material 44 as necessary during cleaning, the timing for
replenishment of the fluid source also being determined
experimentally based on the type of material and fluid being
employed, and in the expected life of the roll of cleaning sheet
material 44. The controller preferably maintains the cleaning sheet
material 44 in a constant tension, and, while in use, indexes at a
predetermined rate, as for example, 0.75 inches per 5 minutes or
thereabout, over the life of the cartridge.
The stepper motor 52 is coupled to the take-up reel 34 through a
series of gears, while the supply reel is coupled to the optical
sensor which detects the amount of rotation of the supply wheel.
Means may be provided to advance the cleaning material in such a
manner as to measure and control the amount of cloth advanced from
the supply reel to the take-up reel, to compensate for differing
rates of advance as material is transferred from one reel to the
other. Such means may be automatic, or may be manual so as to be
adjustable by the consumer.
Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9 a top view and a cutaway side view
of the cartridge 10 as inserted in the cleaning device 12 are
shown, respectively. As described above, the cleaning device 12
includes a beater or sweeping brush 60. A wheel 62 at the front of
the cleaning device 12 is adjustable by activation of a switch 20
between at least two positions, one selected for use with a carpet,
and another for use with a hard floor surface. As the cartridge 10
is inserted into the robot 12 the flexible blade 32 is positioned
adjacent the main brush 60 and receives the relatively large
particulate matter collected by the brush as the cleaning device 12
is run across a floor surface. The particulates are directed up the
flexible blade 32 by the main brush 60 and into the dust
containment bin 30 as described above, in operation the hinged lid
38 is retained in an open position such that the dust and
particulate matter can be readily directed into the containment bin
30. Following behind the main brush 60 is the cartridge 10
including the cleaning sheet material 44. The cleaning sheet
material 44 is retained against the surface to be cleaned by a
platen 66 which includes a leaf-spring 64 that insures contact
between the surface to be cleaned and the cleaning cloth 44. Also
as described above, the reservoir 42 is provided adjacent the
cleaning material 44 such that fluids can be applied to replenish
the cloth when a wet or moist mop cloth is employed in the cleaning
device 12. It is also to be noted that the platen, 66, may
incorporate material, such a plastic or rubber edge, attached
thereto to improve compliance of the cleaning material to the
surface being cleaned. Moreover, the platen need not be rigid, but
may be able to float or vary in height from said surface relative
to the wheels of the device.
Although a cartridge employing a cleaning sheet material 44 for use
on a hard surface has been shown and described, a cartridge 10 for
use with a soft surface, such as a carpet, may also be provided.
Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, a cartridge for carpet cleaning
is shown. Here, the cartridge comprises a larger dust containment
bin 30, shown without a cover, and is weighted appropriately to
maintain the cleaning device 12 against the surface to be cleaned,
and in an upright position during the cleaning operation.
The cartridge 10 provides advantages over the prior art in that
various cleaning operations can be provided in interchangeable
cartridges which can be easily removed and replaced when a
different cleaning process is required. Furthermore, the cartridges
can be disposed of when the roll of cleaning sheet material 44
and/or the fluid in the fluid reservoir 42 is spent. Furthermore,
even before the cleaning material is spent, the cartridge 10 can be
removed and the dust bin 30 emptied by the user with minimal dust
dispersion.
As described above, the cleaning device 12 comprises an autonomous
robot. The robot 12 includes a bumper 15 at a front end and side
brushes 16 which aid in the cleaning process. The robotic device
further includes an activation switch 18, which activates a
navigational system for directing the robot about the surface to be
cleaned. Although a robotic device is shown and described, it will
be apparent that the cartridge device 10 as shown and described
could also be employed in a hand driven device.
Furthermore, although a specific configuration for the fluid supply
and pump has been shown, it will be apparent that a pump could also
be provided in the cartridge. Furthermore, pre-moistened materials
capable of maintaining fluids over periods of time could
alternately be used. Here, for example, a wet cloth can be
maintained in a tightly fitting slot formed in an elastomeric
material, which will help retain moisture within the wet roll and
prevent excessively wet cloth from being dispersed.
While a combination dusting and sweeping device has been shown, the
principles of the present invention also apply to dusters, mops,
vacuum cleaners, floor polishers and a wide variety of other
surface treating equipment. Although a sweeping device has been
shown and described in combination with a dusting or, mopping
element, it will be apparent that the dusting or mopping element
could also be used independently of the sweeper. Thus, although
specific embodiments of the present invention have been described
in detail, it should be understood that this description is merely
for purposes of illustration.
Various modifications of these embodiments may be made without
departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims. Thus,
the claims should be looked to in order to assess the full scope of
the invention.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
Disclosed are improved surface treating devices, methods for using
them, and cartridge devices for providing various cleaning
elements, either in a robotic or hand-held system.
* * * * *